Oil-immersed electric switch



i i 1,626,513 Alm] 26 1927' F. coATEs ET AL OIL IMMERSED ELECTRIC SWITCH April 26.1921.

F. COATES ET AL OIL IMMERSED ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 27. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STAIES PATENT QFFICE.

ERANK COATES, 0F CLEADON, AND JAMES MIRREY, GF EOLDON, ENGLAND. AS-

SIGNORS TO A REYROLLE & COMPANY, LIMITED, OF LAND, A COMPANY OF GREAT BRTIN.

HEBBUR-N-ON-TYNE, ENG- OIL-IMMERSED ELE CTRC SWITCH.

Application filed June 27, 1.925, Serial No. 40,015, and in Great Britain August 30, w24.

relates to oil-inmersed electric, switches and more particularly to what are usually termed switch fuses, i. e. devices in which the lid ot a metal box carries ou its under suri'ace insulatiiigv supports li'or :i ren'uiivable inse which, when the iid is closed. complet a circuit between two liied conductors mounted 'within thel bori and immersed in oil.

According to the present invention instead ot the outer lid or cover crrryingil the 'inse or .switch member, an .ii r lid or trame is provided for that purpose and is adapted to be moved in relation to an outer' lid or cover iz-o that the contacts in be opened or closed whilst the cover rc'nains closed.

The inner lid is preferably so disposed in relation to the outer lid or cover that it must be raised to open the circuit before the cover can be oiiencd or closed. ln other words, it t cover is closed the movable contacts, i. e. those supported on the inner lid or traine, n'iust be separated from the fixed contacts betere the cover can be opened, or igt the cover is open it cannot be closed unless the inner lid is in such a position that 'the contacts will remain separated until after the cover has been closed. Thus the circuit making and breaking operations always take place whilst the outer cover is closed.

This invention Conveniently between the cover and the inner lid, mechanism provided which is operated by the movement ot a. catch or fastening device tor the cover. This catch may be so arranged that when the cover is closed and the catch engaged with a lug` on the box or tank, the actoif disengaging the catch iii-st raises the inner lid and then allows the cover to be opened. Conversely unless the inner lid remains in its new position relatively to the cover the catch will foul the lug so that the cover cannot be closed.

lVhen the inner lid has been raised to separate the movable and fixed contacts, the two lids preferably move together and swing rightbach so that access to the fuse on the underside of the inner lid n'iay be easiliY and safely obtained.

In a preferred construction according to this invention the movement of a catch to release the outer cover rotates, by means ot a toothed quadrant and pinion, a spindie carried on the underside ot the cover. This spindle carries at eac-h of its ends a lever connected by a link to the inner lid so that on rotating the spindle by means oic the catch thc inner lid is raised and the con tacts separated before the release ot' the outer cover. Should the lids move relatively to one another .vhiie the outer Cover is open, then the catch will i'oul the lug` with which it engages when the box is closed, thereby preventingv accidental closure ot the bon with the contacts in the on position. The inner lid is provided with a spring or springs in order to effect a quick opening or closure of the contacts when the spindle has been turned beyond e certain position.

The invention may be carried out in va rious ways, but one construction is illustrated by way oi" example in thenceompanying;

drawings in which Figure l shows an end view olf the appa* ratus with part of theA casing removed and the contacts in the closed position.

Figure 2 is a partial section on the line s--Q of Figure l.

Figure 3 is an outside elevation showing; the catch mechanism, and

Figure l is a view similar to Figure l, but showing the contacts in the open position and the outer cover clos d.

In the drawings the box fr, which adapted to contain oil, is provided with outer cover A1 supported on hinges A?, and having hinged to it at B1 an inner lid i3, ou the underside of which are mounted the insulated supports C which carry the contacts D and fuse E. Mounted in bearings F on the underside of the outer cover Af is a short spindle G which projects through the co fer and carries rigidly secured to its outer end a catch H and operating` lever J. lnside the' cover, on the spindle G is mounted ay toothed quadrant- K engaging` a pinion L secured to e spindle M. This spindle runs the length of the boi: and is supported in bearings N on the underside of the outer cover. A t each end oi the spindle M is a lever O connected by a link l3 to the inner lid B and a spring P1 is provided between the link P and the outer cover A1 to ensure a rapid opening or closure of the inner lid .E and its contacts D.

The catch H cooperates with a lug si* on the side of the box A, and lugs H1 and A5 (Figure 3) are. provided on thecatch, and the side oi the box respectively tlc-rough which a padlock H2 may be inserted to iock ythe inner lid in the closed position. Simi Cin larly other lugs A and H are provided to lock the inner lid in the open position it desired. The mechanism is so arranged that in order to raise the outer cover )L1 the catch Hl mustl iirst be diseneaged troni the lug' A* and in so doing' the spindle G is partially rotated, this motion being' tansmitted by means ot the toothed quadrant i( and pinion L to the spindle M. The levers O rotate with the spindle M and commence to lift the inner lid B by means oic the links P and after the levers 0 have reached their dead-center position the springs P1 effect a rapid further opening' ot the lid and consequent .separation of the contacts D and E. Other springs L2 are provided between the inner lid and outer cover, which normally tend to open the inner lid. rlliese also contribute to the quick n'iovenient of the contacts when opening.

I On the complete disengagement ot the catch H4 the outer cover )il is immediately opened say by means oi overbalance weights which are notl shown in the drawings but may be mounted on arms, parts ot which are shown at S, or the cover may be opened by hand, in which case counter-balance weights may be provided. The outer cover on opening carries with it the inner lid and fuse, which may then be easily and safely inspected or replaced.

To close the box again the outer cover A1 is first shutdown and the inner lid is atterwards closed by the replacement ot' the catch H iastening down the cover A1. Should the catch have been rotated accidentally while the box .is open, it will foul the lug' A4 it any attempt is made to close the outer cover with the inner lid in a position in which the contacts would be liable to close before the outer cover were properly fastened down.

Preterably Lsome other means ot securing the outer cover A1 in addition to the catch H are provided such as swing bolts A? or other usual fastening; or clamping devices, and the cover may be tarnished with a padlock AS for locking it in the closed position.

The fixed and movable contacts within the box may be of any suitable construction, and the fuse may be supported in blocks attached to the insulating supports on the inner lid in. any convenient way but preferably so that the fuse can be readily removed and replaced.

Preferably, however, as in thev construction illust-rated, butt-on contacts areemployed, in which casethe removable Yfuse E is provided at each end with a clamping member El connected by a tension spring E? to a springsided block E3 which can be pushed into position in a` holder C1 adapted to receive it and lmounted on the insulated support C. The holder; ishollow and contains a sliding` stein' terminating in the conta'etfbut-ton D winch, Whenthe contacts are closed, 1s

pressed lirmly against the fixed contact` R by means otl the springl D1.

The electrical connection between the contact button D and the block E is preferably made by means ot a llexiblc connect-ion D2. 'libe clamping inen'iber El ot the fuse is electrically connected to the block E by flexible connectors E so that the springs E2 are not relied upon 'for current-carrying purposes, but serve to hold the fuse in tension and to separate the two parts thereof when it is blown.

lt will be appreciated that in a switch fuse box constructed according' to this invention the contacts can never be closed while the box is open nor can they be opened from the closed position except whilst the outer cover is closed.

that we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. In an electric switch, in combination. an oil box having' hired contacts therein, a lid hino'ed to said box, an inner contact carrying r'rame hinged to said lid within said box, a spindle passing through one wall oi` the lid and carrying outside the lid a catch en gaping with a fixed part ol' the box to secure the lid in closed position, a toothed gear .inside the lid operatively connectinc` the spindle with the inner traine so thatv partial rotation ot the spindle to release the catch auses an upward swine` ot the inner traine to Yard the lid, said catch being so disposed as to prevent opening' or closingot the lid except when the trame is raised toward the lid.

2. in an electric switch, in combination, an oil boi; havingl fixed contacts therein, a lid hinged to said box, an inner contact carrying 'trame hinejed to said lid within said box, a spindle passing through one wall ot the lid and carrying' outside the lid a catch engaging with a iixed part of the box when the spindle is rotated, a toot-hed =gear on the spindle insi le the lid, a second spindie mounted on the lid, a gear wheel carried by the second spindle and meshing' with the gear on the tirst spindle, a c 'ank on the second spindle and a link connecting' the crank member with the hinged inner :trame so that movement olf' the fastening; device to release or tasten the lid raises or lowers thc inner traine.

A device as claimed in claim 2 which tart-her includes in combination a spring attached to said crank. and said lid in such a manner as to assist the rapid raising and lowering of said frame. Y

i deviceasv claimed inl claim El' which further includes inA combination, a'. plural-ity ot elongated insulators depending' Jfrom the inner traine, spring pressed butt-on'- contacts carried at' the lower ends'o'f said insulators and fusesconnected between eachpair ofcou- -ta'cts by tiexible/ conductors;

ln an electric switch box having an inner and an outer lid the combination with a fuse member carried by the inner' lid of fixed conta cts within the box with which the fuse member makes connection when the inucr lid is clef-Sed` a rotatable spindle mounted ou the outer lid, a fastening 'device for the outer lifl carried on said rotatable spindle, a toothed quadrant also carriffd on the rotatable spindle, a second spindle mounted on the outer li l a gear wheel carried by this second spindle and engaging the toothed oliuuli'ant7 a crank member mounted on the saine spindle as the gear wheel and a liuk connectie.,Lel the crank .member with the in ner lid so that the movement of the fasten*- ine device to release or to fasten the outer lid raises or lowers the inner' lid.

6. ln an electric switch box having an in* ner and an outer lid the combination With a fuse .member carried b v the inner lid, of tixed contacts within the boi; with which. the fuse member makes connection when the inner lid closed, a fastening;` device for the outer lid7 o1 erative connections between said fastening device and the inner lid such that the movement of the fastening device to release or to fasten the outer lid raises or lowers the inner lid and a lug on the box with which the fastening device engages when the outer lid is closed suc-h lug being positioned that it will foul the fastening device if an attempt be made to close the outer lid unless the inner lid is in the raised position and the circuit consequently open.

7. In an electric switch box having an in ner and an outer lid the combination with a fuse member carried by the inner lid of fixed contacts within the box with which the fuse member makes connection when the inner lid is closed, a rotatable spindle mounted on the outer lid, a fastening device for the outer lid carried on said rotatable spindle, a toothed quadrant also carried on this spindle, a second rotatable spindle mounted on the outer lid7 a gear wheel mounted on this spindle and engaging the tootl ed quadrant, a crank member mounted on the same spindle as the gear wheel, a link connecting the crank member and the inner lid so that the movement of the fastening` device to releas or to fasten the outer lid raises or lowers the inner lid and alug mounted on the box with which the fastening device engages when the outer lid is closed such lug being so positioued that it will foul the fastening device it an attempt be made to close the outer lid unless the inner iid is in the raised position and the circuit consequently open.

ln an electric switch box havingl an in- .ucr and an outer lid the combination with a fuse member carried by the inner lid of spring pressed butt-cn contacts, fixed contacts within the box with which the butt-on contacts make connection when the inner lid is closed, a fastening` device for the outer lid operative connections between said fastening' device and the inner lid such that the uioven'ient of the fastening device to release or to fasten the outer lid raises or lowers the inner lid and means for preventing the outer lid from being closed unless the inner lid is in the raised position and the circuit consequently open.

9. In an electric switch box having an in ner and an outer lid the combination with a fuse member carried by the inner lid of spring pressed butt-on contacts, fixed contacts within the box with which the butt-on contacts make connection when the inner lid closed` a rotatable spindle mounted on t-he outer lid, a fastening device carried by said spindle, a toothed quadrant also carried by this spindle, a second rotatable spindle mounted on the outer lid, a gear wheel mounted on the second spindle and adapted to engage the toothed quadrant, a crank n'ieinber carried by the same spindle as the grr-gear Wheel, a link c mnecting` the crank member and the inner lid so that the movement of the fastening device to release or to fasten the outer lid raises or lowers the inner lid and a lug,` mounted on the box with which the fastening device engages when the outer lid is closed7 suc-h lug being so positioned that it will foul the fastening device if an attempt be made to close the outer lid unless the inner lid is in the raised position and the circuit consequently open.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specilication FRANK COATES. JAMES MIRREY. 

